Shadowdark, The D&D Game We Didn't Know We Needed

[@GrimJoshua]

As a DM, Shadowdark reinvigorated my passion for running a game because it is so simple and fun to run. Extremely DM friendly. Awesome to see you talk about it.

[@deadlyDM]

I agree. I stopped running 5e a few years ago because I was becoming bored as a GM and lost intertest. We started playing Old School Essentials for a couple of years and had a lot of fun. I was reinvigorated as a GM. Needed a change. A couple of months back our OSE game kind of ran it's course due to cancellations (as a lot of campaigns do). Started running Shadowdark and now we're 5 sessions in and having more fun than we've had in a while. Also cancellations have pretty much ceased - everyone seems excited about gaming again and I'm all for it!

[@arrowodd7695]

@@GrimJoshua This, I quit being a GM because 5e was not fun for me anymore. I ran like three other systems before I found OSR games and Shadowdark. I believe OSR games on purpose or not. Support the GMs fun as much as the players.

[@Atmoseeker]

After running a couple of games of Shadowdark, this is definitely my new go to. I love how easy it is to prep for.

[@DungeonMasterQuest]

Yes! That, and the cool moments when the torch runs out

[@deadlyDM]

Same! Our new go to game. So much fun

[@greegan6373]

I've watched/listened to a lot of SD vids since I discovered the game in March'24. You're one of the few presenters I find easy to listen to. Some times others go on tangents. You stay on point.

[@FablesD20]

You're too kind, thank you! It takes a lot of time to write down and rewrite to get my ideas boilded down (sometimes too much time lol) - plus editing- it's a lot of work, so I appreciate you leaving this comment.

[@chancetaylor9207]

Welp, I'm sold, I'm going to look into it tonight!

[@ScottBaker_]

"Instead of forcing an update..." That's worth a sub.😊

[@cragland94]

i adapted the “always on initiative” for my OSE games and it’s made running/prepping sessions so much easier. all my players love it too!

[@ross8093]

the umbral clock sounds like a perfect way to run the Scarlet minotaur adventure

[@j.justin1511]

Awesome video. New favorite TTRPG channel!

[@AndyReichert0]

umbral clock system was cool! i never thought of using a clock for random encounters. that is a good way of ensuring they get a classic random encounter. mission accomplished. there doesn't need to be more than that. just use a desirable clock/dice size from the start so it doesn't need another subsystem/minigame to fix it.

[@FablesD20]

true! we normally use d6. I have some rules that help make the dice grow to d8 d10 and d12, which the players really seem to respond to and enjoy. or my menice system, where if you land on 1-4 you roll a d4 to avoid the encounter and reset the clock because you got an omen. it adds details to it sure, but it gives it a sense of a living dungeon that is out of the GM's control and makes the game more exciting > rigged or preplanned

[@gameram6382]

I found when in combat, get yourself a 30 second sand timer, each player get 30s to decide what they want to do in a fight. 1 puts pressure on the players in combat. Secondly speeds up the fight scenes

[@FablesD20]

@@gameram6382 fun story! My friend tried dnd out for the first time with his friends- they played the starter kit- and they thought the in game time was the real world time they had in combat. 6 seconds a turn 😂 After a month of playing he learned the truth and he spilled his guts laughing

[@samusamu5342]

@@FablesD20 Where the combats any faster 😂

[@FablesD20]

@@samusamu5342 likely not- but they were definitely a wild roller coaster

[@Thumperoo]

very cool vid. Was looking for SD live play and found great table homebrew GM tips to boot. I'm feeling spoiled now. Liked and subbed !

[@ToddPutnam]

Great video. Shadowdark is all I run anymore since I got a review copy during the Kickstarter for pretty much all the reasons you highlighted. Also, nice terrain in the background. A man after my own heart. :)

[@FablesD20]

Im so happy i backed that kickstarter- actual game changer!

[@deadlyDM]

Loving Shadowdark. It's become our new go to

[@nutherefurlong]

Random difficulty or oracles are great ways to get past that mental stop and just sort of create the world (in this case, the back story of the obstacle) on the fly. Like if there are legendary locksmiths, the difficulty roll could not only say that a particular lock is hard, but tell the player who usually picks locks that it's got the silver inlay of a difficult lock they've seen before. Using advantage and disadvantage to mitigate rolls that don't feel right is a nice way to change things quick, especially if you do all open rolls. Glad Shadowdark is getting so much attention from 5e players

[@synthoelectro]

simplicity is the spice of RP. This reminds me of AD&D very cool.

[@gameram6382]

Im convert to it, simple back to Role-playing

[@willmendoza8498]

I love SD. I have switched over and am having so much fun

[@FablesD20]

HECK YA!

[@rontalkstabletop]

Great video! While your house rules are not my cup of tea, I love that you can tweak this particular game so easily.

[@LordZeebee]

Sounds like you'd really enjoy Dragonbane by Free League tbh. Much like Shadowdark it's far more streamlined than 5e and generally requires that players keep their wits about them if they want to survive. - The combination of round-by-round card draw initiative and reactions using up your turn for the round(there's no bonus actions, just actions, reactions and movement) means combat always flow at a constant and quick pace while still allowing for a remarkable amount of tactical complexity. The archer warchief shoots at you, you're up next and your buddy who's last in initiative is right next to them ready to swing. Do you parry the arrow with your shield, consuming your turn this round and risking the battlefield drastically changing before it's your buddys turn to strike? Or do you let the arrow hit you, hoping the damage doesn't down you, then use the "Wait" rule to trade initiative cards with your buddy who can put an end to the warchief and potentially rout the other goblins? - Capital M "Monsters" use a table of like 6 different attacks, off-loading some decision making off of the DM. Plus it's just really fun/horrifying to discover what different attacks a monster can do. - Regular mundane equipment and your encumberance load is actually super easy to manage and can have a huge impact on your play-experience. - It's a level-less and class-less system with kinda Skyrim-esque progression, you get better at the skills you actually use. - The fact that it's level-less means you'll always have a good feel for what your party can do and can plan your encounters accordingly, plus reaaal big monsters never loose their fear-factor. An Ancient Dragon is a maaaassive threat, no matter how long you've been playing. - And to top it all off it's a d20 roll-under system, so even outside of combat things flow really quickly. No more adding of modifiers, no more asking what the DC is, just roll and compare the number to your stat in that skill. Super fast, keeps you in the experience without having to stop and remember that it's a game where you have to do a bunch of math. The math stuff is for the most part already done(i guess except for damage rolls). It does however have a bit of a sillier general vibe than Shadowdark, the tagline is "Mirth and Mayhem" after all but that doesn't make it any less tense.

[@zenith110]

I've played 2e in high-school back in 2008 as a freshman in highs school and after everyone graduated it was a while until 2014 and 5e. I badly want to get some of my 5e only to give this rules set a shot. My other group has players from my 2e time but it's still pulling teeth to get people to change. I'm glad it exists, but I'm struggling here!

[@FablesD20]

@@zenith110 try by starting with getting a 5e game up- but when they enter the dungeon- time warps and effects the region and the players- they lose their bonus and reactions, and the magic is effecting their spells, now they need to make spellchecks. And only by defeating the final bbeg can they find a way to reverse the effects

[@JanHoos]

thanks for making this. I’m still in the dnd camp, but shadowdark is calling me for real haha! I think I’ll have a hard time convincing my players moving to such a deadly system. they’re all so attached to their characters. Any tips on that?

[@FablesD20]

100% and a great video idea too! I would start by stealing some rules and make in justified in the game’s world and narrative. You go to a new place or an evil wizard changes things. In special locations or everywhere until they stop the wizard- the magic system changes-replace spellslots with spellchecks, all bonus and reactions are now just actions. Magic and time (action economy) is being manipulated by a great evil that is effecting them and they can stop it. That way, the players play their characters through the rules light system as a part of the narrative instead of feeling like they’re learning a new game. Its easy to use the umbral clock and torch in dungeons, just explain out of game, you’re going to track it, but that its an exploration tracking method you are interested in trying. And next time someone drops- explain the death goddess’s energy surrounds you- and you given 3 choices that you must choose now. And since you’re teaching them, i would put the death saves on the unconscious choice. For replacing PB- it would be a much harder sell, but i would try those things and when they get a taste for it and want more, then show them shadowdark and see how they can reinterpret / adopt the character.

[@DungeonMasterQuest]

I liked that umbral clock mechanic, gonna steal it, see how it goes, but I like that idea a lot :) In regards to the rules light approach, it feels sooooo good to plan out sessions, and honestly, run sessions. It is funny, when you mentioned your editing of your recorded game sessions, the amount of editing needed in a 5e game tells a lot, doesn't it? There is so much time not actually playing, because of all the mechanics.

[@daelusraine2989]

I'm also gonna steal that! It sounds awesome. Like when I discovered hex flowers!

[@shockerck4465]

Umbral Clock seems like a cool name for " wandering monsters" with extra steps.

[@FablesD20]

It can definitely feel that way outload, but the big difference is shifting wandering monster away from random rolls every room to a ticking clock which I’ve seen nothing but success with players personally 😇

[@BF-rn3oz]

Great video and suggestions!

[@FablesD20]

Thank you!

[@daelusraine2989]

I disagree with death by choice as a mechanic for SD. It is far less narrative focused from a mechanical standpoint. That said, all death in my SD games are technically by choice xD. That's my only disagreement, the rest of your video was awesome... Certainly subbin'

[@FablesD20]

Thank you! Hang to each’s own! Once i can finish editing and release the Cocaine Owlbear oneshot i can start showing off the Death by choice too- which helps it become less invisible information. And you’re so right-all deaths in shadowdark are technically by choice 😂

[@daelusraine2989]

@@FablesD20 where are you releasing this one-shot? Sounds dope

[@toddpickens]

Great review. Onenote. With regards to leveling in downtime you said coercing, I think you meant carousing.

[@FablesD20]

I did lol

[@danielrood264]

Love the video! Good comprehensive overview. Fyi, 'carousing' is pronounce like 'mouse' or 'house' followed by 'zing'

[@FablesD20]

THANK YOU!! Hey sometimes your brain works and sometimes it doesnt lol

[@abstractbybrian]

Is it not Kah-r-ow-sing. The ow is the ow as in I hurt myself I have an owee

[@FablesD20]

@ you’re 100% right- I be broken

[@abstractbybrian]

I screwed up…the last syllable would be zing not sing

[@MemeN210890]

To your homebrew death rule, I propose the next. When they choose the third one, risk it all, flip a coin and make a choice. You win, you live with full hp and an extra action that turn, lose and it's over 💀

[@FablesD20]

That's Fun!

[@MemeN210890]

@FablesD20 Fear and Hunger started my love for coin flips as a game mechanic!

[@michaelmorrissey5631]

Great video!

[@FablesD20]

@@michaelmorrissey5631 Thank you!

[@gameram6382]

Great review

[@kalleendo7577]

Awesome!

[@GateKeeperPat]

Umbral clock reminds me of how Mausritter runs its game. I enjoyed it but felt it was almost too often something happen. This 24 subtract 1d6 might be a good substitute

[@FablesD20]

I should make a video that breaks it down, cause its a lot of fun

[@weirdguy564]

Another D&D copycat game I like that is very similar to D&D is Olde Swords Reign. It is free, first of all. The main point of the game is a simple, universal bonus number called Proficiency Bonus, customizable characters that are detailed enough that you won't care that the game only comes with the classic four classes. You can customize a warrior to be a Barbarian, or a Rogue (called Expert here, but I prefer Rogue) and turn it into a Bard. You use your Proficiency Bonus it when it makes sense. A warrior uses it when rolling to-hit rolls. A Cleric will use it when making a wisdom check to recall religious lore from memory. A Rogue who used to be a blacksmith can use it when repairing a broken bit of armor at a forge. It still uses Vancian Magic (slots, and you forget the spell when you're done), which I consider a shame, but Vancian isn't always bad. I do like that there are two cantrips (prestidigitation/telekinesis, and a wimpy magic missile), so even running out of spells means you still have those two basic ones to rely on as a wizard at all times. But, its simple, free, and a physical book is only $7 or so to get.

[@FablesD20]

@@weirdguy564 hell ya! I think you might dig Shadowdatk- the free quick start version is linked din the description 😉

[@jn3Storyteller]

Great video! That word, however... the middle syllable rhymes with "Cow" or "Wow." Carousing = kuh-ROU-zing.

[@FablesD20]

Thank you! next time, more coffee lol

[@DermoniS]

Give us more info in comments or new video related to Umbral Clock. Sounds like a great feature to add

[@FablesD20]

I showed it in the stream i did today- BUT more videos are 100% coming especially an Umbral Clock Video

[@DermoniS]

@@FablesD20 thx for share. 2 questions, do you use UClock together with SD random encounter roll check every x rounds (based on danger level) ? When Omens triggers and based on Manace result dice is changed, clock does not reset right it? It only resets when encounter is skipped (result 4 on d4)

[@FablesD20]

@@DermoniS correct about the reset. It only resets if it’s skipped through menace or by hitting zero. As for the SD random encounter, i completely replace it with the Umbral Clock. For the style play i’ve run it turns random encounters into basically an encounter timer. The unsafe/risky/ deadly is mostly based on the players style of play. Are they playing it safe and clever or stumbling through? The danger level conceptually is more so up to story at hand- what has been set up, what clues are there- how deep are they- whats the tone at the table?

[@FablesD20]

@@DermoniS but i should mention- the starting distance, activity, and reaction are still great tools and in fact i use those when possible

[@FrostSpike]

I like Shadowdark but, honestly, you could just play AD&D 1e/2e, or D&D BX/BECMI (or one of the OSR clones like C&C, ACKS, FG&G, or similar) and have all the modules and things published for those right off the bat. In my opinion, as you say at 20:10, SD is really for people already familiar with D&D 5e and who don't want to stray too far from that. 20:25 The *best* DMG, in my view, is still the AD&D 1e DMG. It's not very well organized by modern (or almost any) standards but it's got great content.

[@FablesD20]

@@FrostSpike i just got the OG i6 Ravenloft to play in shadowdark, so my hope is that will be a good bridge for my brain- cause for some reason i always have to tale the long and rocky road lol

[@FrostSpike]

@@FablesD20 If you like the Oracle aspect of SoloDark you might like to take a look at Mythic GM Emulator. As a GM, I use it, in conjunction with various random tables, quite a lot in my games to get some ideas and stir the story up in unexpected ways.

[@FablesD20]

@@FrostSpike well now i have to!

[@deadlyDM]

I agree the 1e DMG is hands down the best GM reference there is! I still use to this day. I disagree though that Shadowdark is really for people already familiar with 5e. I think it's a great bridge for people familiar with 5e to cross into more old school flavored territory, but it's also pulling a lot of people from the old school into a system that incorporates some more modern design elements. Two newer players in my group haven't played since the 80's / 90's and are fully into it. Shadowdark appeals to many generations of gamers and it's a great thing!

[@FablesD20]

@@deadlyDM that sounds amazing! I mention people from 5e since thats my experience- but 100% thats awesome it’s bringing people from the older editions in too!

[@Tysto]

It really hurts that Shadowdark has no feats & just random improvement as you level up, while casters still get a whole bag of tricks. I came up with a simple set of feats, so non-casters get some choices too.

[@FablesD20]

Technically that’s where training comes in. Players can learn feats from masters.

[@Jeromy1986]

I initially scoffed when you said you started with 5e, but now that you said you started with Pathfinder you're a proper OG like myself. 😎

[@FablesD20]

@@Jeromy1986 oh my barb got up to level 7 in pathfinder- had wolverine claws and insane crunchy stats. That time is but a fleeing memory for this mortal

[@sleepinggiant4062]

Average is not more deadly than rolling. It's slightly less on an odd die count because they drop the fraction in the MM.

[@FablesD20]

Sure, but in Shadowdark the monsters hit hard for low hp players, so average is averagely more deadly than the chances of low rolls- at least thats my experience- while the opposite is true in 5e

[@sleepinggiant4062]

​@@FablesD20 - No. A 1d4's average is 2 (2.5 rounded down). Only a 1 is lower, and 3 and 4 are above. It is not more likely to roll less, the opposite is true. You are more likely to roll above average damage when rolling an odd number of dice. Only if you are rounding up for the average damage is what you said true. On 2d4, the average is 5 (2.5 + 2.5). Possible results are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. There are just as many results below as above the average, 3 each way. It is exactly the same odds with even number of dice to roll above as below the average. It is not more deadly to take the average on even number of dice. If you get lucky and roll low a bunch of times, yes, that was better than taking average. But you are just as likely to roll high a bunch of times. You can't just ignore that.

[@FablesD20]

When you’re right you’re right! 🤓 Also isnt 2.5 technically a 3 when dealing with rounded numbers? .1-.4 rounds down while .5-.9 round up. Unless they changed math last time i checked🧐

[@sleepinggiant4062]

@@FablesD20 - Normally yes, .5 rounds up. But if you look at the Monster Manual, it drops the fraction. Kobolds do 1d4+2 (4).

[@FablesD20]

@@sleepinggiant4062 AH that's where my brain was confused! Thank you!!

[@mavfan21]

I wanted to like it, backed the whole shebang on Kickstarter but it falls a little flat. The classes are boring and each Fighter, Thief, etc. is basically the same. I wish it had better class design. I'm all for lower power curve, but not boring and unimaginative classes.

[@FablesD20]

interesting, I'd love to know more about what you mean by bassically the same, cause based on the mechanical bonuses, I see very differetn classes 😇